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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many years did the four spend living in the wilds before moving to Lloegyr?

2. What crop does Manawydan plant?

3. What is unusual about the warriors brought back to life by the Cauldron of Rebirth?

4. Which original manuscript used to compile The Mabinogion is the oldest?

5. What animal leads Math and Gwydion to Lleu Llaw Gyffes?

Short Essay Questions

1. How were these tales originally presented to an audience?

2. Why does Teyrnon decide to take Gwri to the court of Pwyll?

3. What is given to Matholwch and the other Irishmen in compensation for the mutilated horses?

4. What role does Macsen Wledig play in the reconquest of Rome?

5. Why does Llwyd use his magic to bring harm to Pryderi and his family?

6. What happens when the door facing Cornwall is opened?

7. Why do the four have to leave the towns in Lloegyr they try to settle in?

8. What period in history were the later tales in "The Mabinogion" written down in?

9. How does Math react to the news that Goewin has been raped?

10. What is unusual about Rhiannon's horse as the messengers try to catch her?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose two of the women who play a significant role in the tales, and compare and contrast their characters. Which of the two is the stronger heroine? Chose from:

(a) Elen of the Hosts (in "The Dream of Macsen Wledig")

(b) Enid (in "Gereint son of Erbin")

(c) Branwen (from "Branwen daughter of Llyr")

(d) Rhiannon (from "Pwyll Prince of Dyfed and "Manawydan son of Llyr")

(e) Aranrhod (from "Math son of Mathonwy")

Essay Topic 2

Several of the tales in The Mabinogion seem to have the transition from boyhood to manhood as their theme. Choose two of the tales below and for each, describe the attributes that the main character must gain in order to prove that he is a man, and how he obtains these. Choose from:

(a) "Culhwch and Olwen"

(b) "Math son of Mathonwy"

(c) "Peredur son of Efrawg"

Essay Topic 3

How do the earlier oral tales differ from the later romances? Your answer could consider features such as narrative style, setting and plot, as well as other features. Use at least two romances and two oral tales as examples to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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